630982-1899-L-C-Minute-No-14 — Page 3

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 28тп OCTOBER, 1899.

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(5.) Will the Honourable the Harbour Master inform the Council of the circumstances under which the Government refused clearance to the steamship “ Tartar” on 13th September last and granted clearance to the said steamship on 14th idem without her having added in any way in Hongkong to her life-saving appliances?

(6.) How was it that the Government was not sooner informed of the presence in and around Táipó-hü of two to three thousand armed Chinese with guns entrenched and in position ; and what precautions, if any, were taken to find out the actual condition of the Chinese on the borders of and in the New Territory between Mirs Bay and Deep Bay before ordering luncheon for a large number of invited quests, effecting insurance on the steamer "Hankow" for the trip to Mirs Bay which did not take place, and making elaborate arrangements for the opening ceremony, at which it was proposed to hoist the British flag at Táipó-hi on 17th April last, all which arrangements, after considerable expenditure was incurred thereon, had at the last moment to be abandoned?

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the first question is that the estimate was based on the assumption that the Territory to be taken over was peaceable and law abiding, and that village constables, as pointed out in my report, would aid in the policing of the extended area. Events since this Territory has been taken over show that a larger regular force is necessary. The estimate was made by me, and the Captain Superintendent of Police is not responsible for it. In answer to the second question I beg to refer the Honourable Member to the statement of expenditure on account of the New Territory which was laid on the table at the last meeting of Council.

The HARBOUR MASTER. In reply to the third question I beg to state as follows:-(1.) Yes. Tenders were invited from three local Firms. (2.) Yes. The total cost of the three vessels will be $91,100. In the interests of the contractors it is not proposed to give the respective cost of each vessel. ( (3.) The sizes of the hulls and engines are as follows:-(1.) Hull 120 ft. × 20 ft. x 10 ft. Engines of sufficient size to obtain the guaranteed speed. (2.) Hull 83 ft. x 14 ft. x9 ft. Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in., Stroke 14 in. (3.) Hull, 75 ft. x 13 ft. x 8 ft. Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in. Stroke 12 in. (4.) The frames will be hard-wood. (5.) The frames will be cut partly from natural crooks and partly from straight timber. (6.) As the Government does not intend building composite vessels, it is not in possession of the information necessary for replying to the question.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the fourth question is-" Not at present, His Excel- lency the Governor is considering the matter."

The HARBOUR MASTER.-In reply to the fifth question I beg to state as follows:-The passenger certificate allowed for 741 passengers and the number given as being on board was in excess of this. The Harbour Master was, therefore, obliged by law to refuse clearance. When he was informed later

that the necessary life-saving apparatus for the larger number was on board, he at once granted clearance.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the sixth question is The answer to the first part is, because they were not there before the 15th. The answer to the latter part is that the precaution was taken of observing the attitude of the inhabitants towards workmen at Táipó-hi and survey parties, which was apparently quite friendly, in addition to which nine elders. of the district waited upon the Governor on the 12th April and expressed on behalf of the people in general their regret for what had occurred on the 1st April and declared that the false reports having been refuted the people had become more settled.'

His Excellency then addressed the Council as follows :-

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

I have the honour to submit for your consideration the Estimates for the coming year, and in doing so I venture after the usual custom to make a few observations on the position of the Colony. But first, I take this earliest public opportunity that has presented itself to express my acknowledgments for the cordial manner in which Lady BLAKE and I have been received by the community of this important Colony.

The ten months that have elapsed since my assumption of the government have been months fraught with exceptional anxiety and responsibility. Under the Convention between Her Majesty the QUEEN and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, the area of twenty- nine square miles that has hitherto been the extent of the Colony was increased by a lease for ninety-nine years of an area of four hundred square miles, with an estimated population of 100,000.

It was assumed that the knowledge of the just treatment of the Chinese inhabitants of Hongkong and British Kowloon would induce the population of the leased area to accept the